“The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” —Zig Ziglar

Who was the last person you thanked? Do you remember how it made you feel? When we pause and reflect on someone or something we are grateful for, that brings a shift in our emotional state and consciousness that has many benefits.

Practicing gratitude makes you more productiveStudies have shown a correlation between gratitude and improved health, but did you know that taking just a couple of minutes each day to practice gratitude also help you to be more productive at work and at home?Beyond making you more productive, practicing gratitude makes you feel less stressed and can help you to sleep better at night. When you are relaxed and well-rested, you will be more effective and efficient at carrying out tasks and achieving goals.

Gratitude feels goodA feeling of gratitude can have an overall positive impact on your health and well-being. Practicing an attitude of gratitude is one of the easiest and most effective habits to embrace. When you’re in a thankful mindset, you’re better equipped to meet the challenges of your day.Giving thanks has as many benefits for the person who is handing out the appreciation as it does for the recipient. Gratitude releases dopamine, and makes everyone feel better. And when gratitude is given at work, did you know it can make you more productive? When people are thanked for a job well done, it motivates them to work harder. The best part is that it doesn’t cost you anything to recognize and appreciate people for their efforts. How we think, and ultimately what we say aloud and write down, has a tangible impact on how we feel. Try incorporating simple statements of gratitude every day at work, for things both big and small.

Practicing gratitude is easyResearch on the effects of gratitude have found that people are more likely to make progress on their goals when they write down the things that they are grateful for. What are some ways you can practice gratitude?

Writing a thank you note

Small acts of kindness – how can you pay it forward?

Keeping a gratitude journal

Spending just 5 minutes each day thinking about what you are grateful for trains your mind to focus on the positive things in your life. Expressing thanks is a great thing to practice, and adding it to your collection of daily success habits can help you be more productive, as well. To help you get started, there are some terrific apps that you can use, such as “The Five-Minute Journal”.If you start and end your day with a mindset of gratitude, you’ll be more productive and successful at reaching your goals. Expressing thanks can lead to feeling healthier and happier, so it’s a great thing to practice often. Adding it to your collection of daily success habits can help you be more productive as well.Reflect on and express gratitude for the things and people in your life. Try and make this a daily habit: it’s good for your health AND your productivity!

Debbie Rosemont, Certified Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant, started Simply Placed, in 2003 to help clients increase productivity, maximize efficiency and bring balance and control into their work and lives.Simply Placed associates work with individuals and businesses to create effective organizational systems, clear clutter, successfully manage time, focus on priorities and achieve goals. They help people work smarter, not harder, to increase their bottom line and peace of mind through consulting, hands-on organizing, and group training. They can be contacted at 206-579-5743 or info@itssimplyplaced.com.